Latest Tokyo News
Japanese newspaper boss who influenced the nation's postwar politics died at 98
TOKYO (AP) — Tsuneo Watanabe, the powerful head of Japan's largest newspaper who had close ties with the country's powerful conservative leaders, has died, his company said Thursday. He was 98. Watanabe, the editor-in-chief of the Yomiuri Shimbun for over 30 years, died of...
What a merger between Nissan and Honda could mean for the automakers and the industry
BANGKOK (AP) — Japanese automakers Nissan Motor Corp. and Honda Motor Co. confirmed Wednesday that they are discussing closer collaboration but denied reports they have decided on a merger. Nissan’s share price soared nearly 24% in Tokyo after reports citing unnamed sources said...
Japanese space startup aborts 2nd satellite launch attempt minutes after liftoff
TOKYO (AP) — A Japanese space startup said its second attempt to launch a rocket carrying satellites into orbit had been aborted minutes after liftoff Wednesday and destroyed itself again, nine months after the company's first launch attempt ended in an explosion. Space One's...
Lydia Ko had doubts about her game. She never felt more proud of her climb back to the top
Lydia Ko had the Olympic gold medal virtually wrapped up when she had a conversation with herself walking up the 18th fairway at Le Golf National that surprised her. “The thing I told myself walking down the 18th was, ‘I’m so proud of myself.' And I never say that to me," Ko...
Why is tech giant SoftBank investing over $100 billion in the US?
BANGKOK (AP) — Japanese tycoon Masayoshi Son and President-elect Donald Trump have announced plans for technology and telecoms giant SoftBank Group to invest $100 billion in projects in the United States over the coming four years. Trump said the investments in building artificial...
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich expresses desire to return to bench in first comments since stroke
SAN ANTONIO (AP) — San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich intends to return to coaching, he said Monday in his first public comments since suffering a stroke in early November. Popovich, the NBA's career coaching wins leader, released a statement through the Spurs expressing...
Japan's largest bank apologizes over theft of millions of dollars from safe deposit boxes
TOKYO (AP) — Japan’s biggest bank apologized Monday for the alleged theft by an employee of more than 1 billion yen ($6.6 million) from customers’ safe deposit boxes. The bank, formally known as Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc., said Monday that it was investigating and...
Once taboo, more Japanese women are brewing sake
OKAYA, Japan (AP) — Not long after dawn, Japanese sake brewer Mie Takahashi checks the temperature of the mixture fermenting at her family’s 150-year-old sake brewery, Koten, nestled in the foothills of the Japanese Alps. She stands on an uneven narrow wooden platform over a...
Alaska Airlines will spread its wings by flying to Tokyo and Seoul beginning next year
NEW YORK (AP) — Alaska Airlines said Tuesday it will start new service to Tokyo and Seoul next year as part of a plan to boost international flights over the next several years. Alaska announced the new routes Tuesday as it raised its fourth-quarter outlook and publicized a plan to...
Should Sasaki join Cubs? Emanuel, a fan of the team and ambassador to Japan, is being diplomatic
TOKYO (AP) — It was a simple question. During a news conference Monday at the United States Embassy in Tokyo, Chicago Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga was asked what he'd say to countryman Roki Sasaki to convince him to join his team. Sasaki will be moving from Japan next season to join...